| South Eastern Trains | |
| Franchise: | South Eastern 9 November 2003 – 31 March 2006 |
| Regions: | Greater London, Kent |
| Secregions: | East Sussex, West Sussex, Surrey |
| Fleet: | approximately 350 |
| Stations: | 178 |
| Abbr: | SE |
| Parent Company: | Strategic Rail Authority (publicly owned) |
| Website: | http://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk |
| Predecessor: | Connex South Eastern |
| Successor: | Southeastern |
South Eastern Trains (stylised as Southeastern) was a publicly owned train operating company that operated the South Eastern Passenger Rail Franchise between November 2003, when it took over from Connex South Eastern, and 1 April 2006, when Southeastern began operating the new Integrated Kent franchise.
South Eastern Trains began operating the South Eastern franchise from November 2003, taking over after the franchise was removed from Connex South Eastern.[1] On 18 January 2005 the Strategic Rail Authority issued the Integrated Kent franchise Invitation to Tender to the shortlisted bidders.[2]
On 30 November 2005 the Department for Transport awarded Govia the Integrated Kent franchise. The services operated by South Eastern Trains transferred to Southeastern on 1 April 2006.[3]
From London termini (London Victoria, London Bridge, London Charing Cross, London Blackfriars and London Cannon Street) unless otherwise stated;
The suburban services (called ‘Metro’ in the SET timetables) ran to:
South Eastern Trains inherited a fleet of Class 365, Class 375, Class 411, Class 421, Class 423, Class 508, Class 465 and Class 466s from Connex South Eastern. During its tenure South Eastern Trains introduced the remaining Class 375s into service as well as the full Class 376 fleet. All remaining Class 411, Class 421 and Class 423s were withdrawn and scrapped by October 2005,[4] while the Class 365s were transferred to West Anglia Great Northern in 2004.[5] Rolling stock was maintained at Ashford and Ramsgate depots.